Drop in kiwifruit spray complaints

Agrichemical spraying of kiwifruit with Hi-cane®
generated fewer complaints in the Bay of Plenty this season
but sprayers “still have work to do” to improve performance,
says Environment Bay of Plenty.

Over winter, the regional
council logged 20 calls on its pollution hotline compared to
39 the previous Hi-cane® season. However, a new kiwifruit
industry spray hotline also handled six complaints.

Even
taking that into account, the difference was noticeable,
says environmental field officer Chris McKay. Agrichemical
spray contractors, in particular, had taken more care to
follow the rules of the Regional Air Plan.

“Most of the
complaints were about orchardists who did their own
spraying. Many had not told their neighbour they were
spraying, as they are supposed to under the Air Plan.” Two
or three calls related to spraydrift from Hi-cane.

By the
end of the season, staff had handed out three infringement
notices with an instant fine of $300 each. They are still
investigating three other cases.

Environment Bay of Plenty
and the kiwifruit industry are now working together to
improve the use of agrichemical sprays on kiwifruit orchards
in the region. The project team includes representatives
from the regional council, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers
Incorporated, spray contractors and growers, and marketing
company Zespri NZ Ltd.

Environment Bay of Plenty has also
produced a booklet titled Application of Agrichemicals to
help educate spray users. It explains the effects of spray
drift, lists factors to consider when spraying, and details
the responsibilities of applicators under the Bay of Plenty
Regional Air Plan and GROWSAFE.

Principal compliance
officer Andy Bruere says spraydrift is an ongoing issue in
the region. “The wider impact of spraydrift should not be
underestimated. Overseas markets are becoming more demanding
about wanting socially and environmentally acceptable
production practices. We need to make sure all agrichemicals
are used correctly in an environmentally safe
manner.”

Environment Bay of Plenty is responsible under
the Resource Management Act for the control of spraying.

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